Violence shapes childhoods. Fifteen-year-old *Pearl knows this truth in her bones. Born to a nomadic tribe in Northern Mindanao, she grew up where gunfire echoes through mountain passes and military operations threaten daily life.
Her tribe cannot farm—their nomadic lifestyle and constant conflict make it impossible. To survive, they forage in dangerous jungles and hunt wild animals. When they need supplies, they must travel half a day down treacherous mountain paths to reach the nearest market.
Starvation and malnutrition haunt their communities.
Education comes at a steep price. The nearest school lies 35 miles away through an untamed jungle. Children brave rivers, cliffs, and dense forest to reach their classrooms. Teachers appear just one week each month – sometimes disappearing for months at a time. Less than half the children make it to secondary school.
Like many tribal parents who dream of safety and a better future for their children, Pearl’s family sent her away. She now lives with relatives in the municipality center, fighting for an education.
But safety doesn’t mean acceptance. As a tribeswoman from an unheard-of village, she faces daily ridicule. Her gaps in education make her an easy target for bullies. Worse, people treat her with suspicion, as too many children from her tribe have joined armed rebel groups.
Fear follows her everywhere. While she studies, a full military operation rages in her homeland. Her parents could be illegally detained, like others from nearby communities. Her family’s meager resources stretch thinner each day. Some of her peers, facing the same struggles, have chosen to join the rebels. A full stomach and revenge against their tormentors prove powerful temptations.
But Pearl chose a different path.
When INfire community leaders reached out, teaching her to read and write, she also learned about Jesus. Through our scripture lessons, she discovered purpose. She began volunteering for the **Strengthening of Communities and Families (SCF) Program, helping families adapt their traditional child-rearing practices to current times.
The SCF lessons taught her about bullying and healthy responses to conflict. Instead of letting violence beget violence, she now guides younger children, sharing her experiences and showing them a better way. Their excitement to join SCF proves they, too, hunger for safe spaces.
Despite the military operations, despite the bullying, despite the poverty, Pearl holds onto her dreams. She will graduate college. She will find a stable job. She will create a peaceful life for her family.
But more than that – she will help the younger children from her tribe, teaching them Christian values and showing them that education is worth every difficult step.
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*names changed for privacy and protection
**SCF is the program we designed to lift children out of darkness, to protect them from conscription and human trafficking. Communities are a lifeline for children, and families are the bedrock of these communities. We believe that through a strong family unit, children have the opportunity to develop into educated adults who become trusted peacemakers and local entrepreneurs, ensuring the long-term well-being of the community. A healthy, close-knit community acts as a safety net for children, preventing abuse and human trafficking.
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